A small but spirited crowd gathered on Saturday in Anaheim’s – unofficial but should be official – Little Arabia district to celebrate the people’s ouster of the Egyptian autocrat Hosni Mubarak on the previous day! Arab-Americans, Latinos, Filipinos and a broad diversity of people came together to chant for freedom in Egypt and all across the MENA (Middle East/North Afrika) The night before, celebrants gathered for the news crews as they patronized the restaurants and other establishments in the plaza. Those who were ready for round two came down at noon time for some more!

In the above video, you will see exuberance exhibited in various chants and songs. It was a joyful and peaceful celebration. The Anaheim Police Department only rolled out one parked car across the street that stayed stationary for hours. No equestrian unit this time around. In a great cultural exchange, jaranas and panderos intermingled musically on the unusually hot February day with the slogans and songs of the Arabic language. It was a beautiful moment to behold!

{OJB’s very own Editor-in-Chief!}

The shops of the pan-Arab plaza were pretty much in lockstep solidarity. The Islamic Fashion store – where, before a fire destroyed half of the heart of Little Arabia, the porno store that used to be there stuck out like a sore thumb – was offering Egyptian flags and shawls. (They also have amazingly beautiful Koranic mantle pieces) Food joint Forn Al Hara hung the flag of Egypt next to its Happy Valentine’s day banner while serving up sphihas to hungry celebrants.

With Mubarak gone, may there be more liberation struggles in the MENA and elsewhere to celebrate in the coming future!

I have never understood why people gather to waive signs at passing motorists like this – what kind of need they have that it seems to fulfill. Demonstrating to who? What does it really accomplish? Does it ever register on the radar screen of life? Vern, maybe you can explain it all (assuming you have gone to therapy today)?

Nothing wrong with it Vern as far as I know, it is just a form of human behavior – to celebrate or wahtever in public like that – I do not understand Then again, I don’t understand people that paint their faces and bodies in team colors and prance around at football games either. I assume there is a psychological explanation for it all — perhaps I am too reserved, or as Gabriel says, a party pooper. I do love to party, in general, however – just not in a way that is intended to draw attention to myself. And Vern – a healthy suggestion – you appear to be at a point in life where when out in the sun a hat would be a wise addition to the attire.